How much does your mayor make? A comparison across the Okanagan

The mayor of Vernon has rejected a pay raise.

Rob Sawatzky, who was elected in November, has turned down a
raise approved by the previous city council.

Council had voted for the Vernon mayor to receive a salary
of $66,266 in 2012.

Sawatzky has opted to stick with the current salary of
$63,466.

One-third of mayor’s salary is a tax-free allowance.

Vernon city councilors will keep their current salary of
$20,472, one-third of which is tax-free.

There are 42,812 living in Vernon according to the latest
census offered by Statistics Canada.

The mayor’s salary works out to approximately $1.48 per
person in Vernon.

Here is a comparison to mayoral salaries in other parts of the Okanagan:

According to the City of Penticton 2012 budget, Mayor Dan
Ashton is on track to make $61,300, an increase from 2011 when he made $57,800.

In 2011, he also received $1,600 in town expenses.

Penticton city councilors made $19,667 in 2011 plus $1,166
in town expenses.

According to the City of Kelowna, Mayor Walter Gray will
make $87,902 a year.

One-third of the mayor’s salary is for expenses and is
tax-free.

Kelowna city councilors receive $30,765; one-third of which
is tax-free.

In West Kelowna, remuneration for mayor and city council is
the median paid to the mayor and council in a comparative group of
municipalities.

In 2010, Mayor Doug Findlater was paid $60, 853 and city
councilors were paid $20,654.

The mayor and West Kelowna City Council rejected a pay raise
in 2011.

In the City of Salmon Arm, bylaw 3834 sets the remuneration
for the mayor and city council.

Mayor Nancy Cooper will make $44,800 for her duties this
year, one-third of which will be paid as allowance for expenses.

Salmon Arm city councilors will receive $15,000 a year,
one-third of which will be paid as allowance for expenses.